April 2nd 1878
Otaki
Court opened at 10 am.
Present – J. J. Symonds Judge Mita Karaka – Assessor
Sections 85 & 87 – Plan 3 chain plot
Pipi Kutia – sworn
I live at Manawatu and I am a Ngati Raukawa.
Section 85 has been granted to hape. This section 87 is the site occupied by this court. I had a house on this land and my brother Piripi agreed that it should use as a court. I claim this land through my father and brother and have lived upon it.
Objectors challenged
Moroati Kiharoa, Hoani Taipua, Hema Te Ao appeared to object to her claim.
Moroati Kiharoa – sworn
I belong to Ngati Pare a hapu of Ngati Raukawa.
I know this section the land in question has been before the court and awarded to the whole tribe.
Hema Te Ao and Hoani Taipua confirmed the whole statement of Kiharoa and said it had been disposed of.
Hoani Taipua – sworn
I remember the case being heard before Mr Smith the land was not awarded to Hone Humu who was the claimant but the court left it for the hapu’s who had arranged that this court should be built and dismissed the claim.
Adjourned
Kaingaraki 2A – Plan No. 58 – a9 – r1 – p15
Ria Piripi Te Rangiatahua – sworn
I belong to hapu of Wehiwehi hapu of Ngati Raukawa.
This land has been already been adjudicated on and given to me. I claim a portion along the Kaingaraki Creek. I have cultivated there it belonged to my father Piripi he cultivated I grew up on the land.
Objectors challenged
Ngawiki and Unoroa objected
Ngawiki said a portion of land awarded to her was included in this survey.
Paremata – Plan 9
Te Kairangi – sworn
I am the brother of the claimant. My name is Keriona Kairangi. I belong to Ngati Toa and Raukawa and live at Porirua and Otaki.
I know the land when Ngati Toa first came down here my grandfather grandmother and mother lived on this and after my grandfather went to Porirua I lived on the land with my parents. I lived upon it up to about 10 years when I leased it to T. Ransfield who has the lease, my brother and I leased it, there has been a renewal we both received the rent now he is dead I receive it, Tamihana was the only one who claimed all over the Paremata blocks he never interfered with my lease.
Objectors challenged
Moroati appeared and stated that a small portion of this land encroached on his land it was agreed that the part which was on the encroachment should be taken out of the claimants land.
Matene Te whiwhi appeared and said that his claim was the same as that addressed by Oriwia at the sitting of the court at Otaki in 1868.
The court informed him that his claim being the same as Oriwia’s it has been disposed of by a former court.
James Wallace appeared on behalf of Tamihana Rauparaha and asked that he might go over the whole of the Paremata Block to show where Tamihana’s cultivations were.
Adjourned until next day
Haruatai – Plan No. 63 – a15 – r0 – p20
Hemi Kooti appeared on behalf of the claimant who is dead.
Hemi Kuti – sworn
I only claim a portion of this land there are many others who have claim (list – read).
I wish a separate order for my piece I claim from Wi Rapi who bought it from Te Uira Wi Rape gave it to me and I have worked on it for 10 years. I only claim 2 acres and a quarter as shown on the plan by a dotted line.
Objectors challenged
Oriwia Karehana – sworn
I belong to Ngati Raukawa my father was a Ngati Koata. I live at Otaki.
I claim this land it belonged to us. Kingi Te Ahoaho gave it to our parents. I did not live on the two acres and a quarter. Wi Rape was not separate from me. I had the mana of the land he was only working on it. He worked on it a great number of years just after the church was built.
Xed by Hemi Kuti
I should oppose Wi Rape if he was in court according to what he might have to say.
This land was Ura’s during his life time he could have done what he pleased with it.
Petuha Koroua – sworn
I belong to Raukawa and live at Haruatai.
I remember Wi Rape living with me he was our servant he belonged to Ngai Tahu he had no mana.
Xed by Hemi Kuti
I have only heard that you are entitled to a small piece which is inside this block through Wi Rape.
I admit Wi Rape and you also have worked on this land. Wi Rape had houses on this land. He had fences on it if he were living he would have no right to the land. It is your wheat growing on the land but you will have to take it away. I did not hear that Wi Rape purchased it from Ura.
For claimant
Hoani Taipua – sworn
I know this land I have seen Wi Rape working on this land for over 20 years.
I heard that Te Ura had given him leave on it. I believe Ura sold it to Wi Rape for a consideration the claimant told me along time ago he had got it from Wi Rape.
Xed by Hemi
I have seen houses there and the wheat on the land is yours.
Xed by Oriwia
Wi Rape was a Ngai Tahu a slave of Hemi Kuti’s. You have a right to your own portion. Wi Rape would have a right to the part given him by Te Uira.
Wi Kerei – sworn
I belong to Raukawa and live at Otaki.
I know the land it belonged to Wi Rape who got it from Te Ura and when he left it became Rape’s. He paid for it, he gave £4 some blankets and shirts. He asked me to write a document to have it surveyed.
Wi Rape had it surveyed this and other land. No one ever interfered with Wi Rape.
Xed by Oriwia
You did not work on Wi Rape’s portion yours was separate from his. Your houses are on your piece and Wi Rape’s on his own. I came here in 1866 Te Ura might have got the payment in 1865.
All the people saw the money Te Ura always was supplied with clothes by Wi Rape.
I raise no claim to the land Wi Rape was a servant of ours.
Te Hau o Taranaki – sworn
I am a Raukawa. I live at Otaki on this land a little above it.
I know Wi Rape’s land. Te Ura put him there and he was the owner of the land. It was a free gift to Wi Rape.
I heard he paid for it, he gave him the money and blankets as a return present. I have seen him there for many years he had houses and fences there. I never heard of anyone interfering with him.
I remember Wi Rape’s occupation.
Xed by Oriwia
Paora Te Naihi – sworn
I live inland of this land part belongs to Wi Rape.
I heard Te Ura sold it. I have seen Wi Rape at work on this land during the last 20 years or more. No one ever interfered with his occupation. He had houses there also fences.
The claimant explained to the court that Wi Rape’s house and all his papers were burnt.
Mihipeka – sworn
I live at Otaki and am a Raukawa.
I know this land. It belonged to Te Ura he gave it to wi Rape for a consideration and he lived there until he died.
I know that Wi gave the land to the claimant a good while ago before his death. I was present and heard what was said.
Oturoa – succession
Neville Nicholson and Tauteka claim to succeed to Pariraukawa.
Tauteka Tuainuku – sworn
I claim on behalf of Pariraukawa’s child. The child is living with Hakopa it is 30 years old and lives at Manawatu – he is blind.
Neville Nicholson admitted that Pariraukawa has a son but claimed an interest.
Wiremu Pohe is the son’s name.
Order made in favour of Wiremu Pohe and Mr J. Booth to be appointed trustee for him as he is insane.
Fees - £1.0.0
The court then adjourned sine die
